The Web3 Industry Enters a Mature Stage: Insights from the TOKEN2049 Dubai Conference

TOKEN2049 Dubai Conference once again highlights its status as a top global event in the cryptocurrency industry, attracting over 15,000 participants from more than 160 countries. This conference not only reflects the evolution of market dynamics but also reveals the rise of emerging trends, providing important guidance for the future direction of the Web3 market.

Main Trends

1. Stablecoins have become core infrastructure

Stablecoins have evolved from a conceptual stage to a key component of the digital economy, demonstrating clear market demand. Industry insiders expect stablecoin trading to expand from on-chain to the real economy, potentially forming a market worth trillions of dollars. This prospect has attracted numerous participants into the stablecoin space, focusing not only on issuance but also extending to building a complete financial infrastructure.

2. The integration of AI and blockchain is still in the exploratory stage.

Although AI is one of the important topics of the conference, attendees generally hold a cautious attitude towards the current application of AI in the cryptocurrency field. Many pointed out that there is a gap between market enthusiasm and actual technological development. However, there remains optimism in the industry regarding the long-term potential of Web3 in the AI market, especially in areas such as decentralized AI computing and open-source agent frameworks.

3. The industry has entered a structurally mature phase.

The cryptocurrency industry is transitioning from the speculative "cutting-edge era" to a stage focused on infrastructure development and practical applications. The market's demand for validated applications and clear value propositions is gradually surpassing the expectations for conceptual innovations. This shift marks the maturation of the entire ecosystem, laying the foundation for more stable, long-term development.

Deep Changes

1. The Battle for Stablecoin Infrastructure

As stablecoins become the core of the digital economy, the industry's focus has shifted from simple integration to control over the payment layer. Multiple ecosystems such as Solana, Tron, and TON are accelerating the establishment of their status as foundational settlement platforms, covering wallet development, payment infrastructure construction, and institutional adoption.

2. Node Sales Trends

There is a trend at the conference towards opening node operations to a broader audience, which is seen as an important step in increasing decentralization. However, some attendees are skeptical and question whether these sales are merely a retail financing strategy packaged as ecosystem participation.

3. The gap between technology and market adoption

The gap between technological advancement and market adoption is widening. Relying solely on technological advantages is no longer enough to attract market interest; many participants are shifting their focus from research to execution, including developing market entry strategies, understanding liquidity flows, and establishing exchange relationships.

Important Announcement

1. Tether plans to launch a new US dollar stablecoin that complies with US regulations.

2. OKX launched the OKX Pay self-custody crypto payment application and announced multiple institutional collaborations.

3. Zodia Custody enters the UAE market to strengthen regulatory cooperation.

4. The integration of Mesh with Apple Pay simplifies cryptocurrency payments in the retail environment.

5. World Liberty Financial and TRON complete a $2 billion stablecoin investment.

6. MEXC Ventures established a $300 million fund to invest in modular chains, ZK-rollups, and other infrastructure.

7. Lightspark launched Spark, a native protocol based on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, to expand the application scenarios of Bitcoin.

These announcements reflect the industry's ongoing focus on stablecoins, infrastructure development, and payment solutions, marking a shift from the experimental phase to large-scale implementation.

Conclusion

TOKEN2049 Dubai Conference clearly showcased the shift of the crypto industry from speculative enthusiasm to practicality and infrastructure development. Stablecoins have become the infrastructure of the digital economy, while AI has garnered much attention, but the market is becoming cautious. Dubai has solidified its position as a regulatory and capital hub for Web3.

With the increase in institutional participation and the improvement of regulatory frameworks, the market has entered a new stage of structural transformation. The Web3 ecosystem now relies more on infrastructure construction, system integration, and delivery capabilities, marking the industry's entry into a more mature "urbanization" era.